Title: Comparison of the use of ICT resources of ISO 9001 certified SMEs and non-certified SMEs in Hungary

Authors: Roland Schmuck

Addresses: Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Pécs, 7622 Pécs, Rákóczi út 80, Hungary

Abstract: Digitisation and the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is a must for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to keep up with the global competition. ICT is part of the ten pillars of competitiveness. Quality management systems need information and analysis of data. The adoption ladder approach shows how a company can introduce ICT to its operations. The current research is based on a survey of 1,381 Hungarian SMEs according to their use of ICT and their implementation of ISO 9001 certified quality management systems. The results show a clear advantage of SMEs with ISO 9001 certified quality management systems in the use of ICT. This advantage includes the higher likelihood of using computers in networks, having internet connections, using e-mail, having websites, and using specialised software. The biggest advantage of ISO 9001 certified companies was found in having English language websites and using specialised software.

Keywords: information and communication technology; ICT; small and medium enterprises; SMEs; resources; quality management; ISO 9001; Hungary.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2023.130183

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2023 Vol.38 No.4, pp.545 - 562

Received: 30 Mar 2021
Accepted: 12 Jun 2021
Published online: 06 Apr 2023 *

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